PHOTO AVAILABLE: Coast Guard assists diabetic mariner near Patrick's Point

united states coast guard 

News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 11th District Pacific Southwest
Contact: 11th District Public Affairs
Office: (510) 437-3325
After Hours: (510) 772-8865
11th District online newsroom

Coast Guard assists diabetic mariner near Patrick's Point

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MCKINLEYVILLE, Calif. — The Coast Guard assisted a 55-year-old mariner who was reportedly experiencing symptoms of hypoglycemia while underway on his 29-foot sailboat five miles northwest of Patrick's Point near Trinidad, Wednesday evening.

The man notified Coast Guard Station Humboldt Bay personnel around 3 p.m. that he was sailing alone without medication for diabetes aboard and needed help.

The Coast Guard Station Humboldt Bay crew relayed the call to watchstanders at Sector Humboldt Bay, who initiated a 30-minute communication schedule with the boater to check on his condition. The watchstanders also consulted the duty flight surgeon, who recommended crews deliver glucose gel to the boater.

A Station Humboldt Bay 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew and a Sector Humboldt Bay MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew launched to assist the man. Once they arrived on scene, the helicopter crew lowered the gel to the Motor Lifeboat crew, who delivered it to the man.

After the man's condition stabilized, he remained on his sailboat while the Coast Guard crew towed him to Woodley Island Marina around 9 p.m.

The man did not request further medical attention at the time.

-USCG-